Protection of people against lightning in open environments: Impact of publication of IEC Std 62793: “Protection Against Lightning - Thunderstorm Warning Systems”

IEC STd 62793, “Protection Against Lightning - Thunderstorm Warning Systems” [1] will be released, according IEC information, in September 2015. It is expected that in the beginning of the XIII SIPDA (end of September 2015) this new standard will already be valid. This is a release of utmost importance, since this standard will cover, among others aspects, the protection of people against lightning in open areas, a topic never covered by international standards before. This article reviews the most important aspects of this standard and discusses the impact of its release in the world, having a special focus in Brazil.